See below proposed PA legislation that was introduced in February that may affect your industry. If you have questions and/or concerns about any of this proposed legislation, you should reach our directly to your PA Senator or PA Representative.
Tax Credits For Volunteer First Responders
February 25, 2021
Representative Quinn plans to reintroduce House Bill 160 from last session. This proposed legislation establishes a Volunteer First Responder Education Tax Credit Program to assist Pennsylvania’s active volunteer first responders with access to a higher education.
For more information, click here.
Fire Department Reimbursements
February 25, 2021
Senator Dush plans to reintroduce in the future to authorize volunteer fire companies to recoup their costs associated with an emergency response that do not include the costs of providing manpower. At the present time, there is no state law that authorizes or prohibits volunteer fire companies from billing for their services. This legislation proposed would establish that a person who is involved in an emergency, that necessitates a response from a volunteer emergency services organization, shall be liable for the actual and reasonable response costs, when services are rendered.
For more information, click here.
Grants to Fire Companies
February 17, 2021
Representative Sturla plans to introduce legislation to amend Title 35, Chapter 78 (Grants to Fire Companies and Volunteer Services) to expand the eligibility of the grants.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Fire and EMS Grant Funding for 2021
February 17, 2021
Representative Armanini plans to introduce legislation that will provide additional and much needed financial assistance to our fire and EMS services to aid in both their response and protection against COVID-19 and financial struggles suffered due to the pandemic.
For more information, click here.
Allocation of Federal COVID-19 Relief for Businesses, Fire and EMS, and Front-line Workers
February 11, 2021
The federal government has been discussing the size and breadth of a future round of funding for states to allocate to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects. If that funding materializes, Representative Ortitay believes that the Commonwealth should move quickly to allocate it to our citizens. In order to prepare for this possibility, Representative Ortitay will be introducing a package of three bills to allocate such funding and to establish the statutory programs needed to drive the money out.
For more information, click here.
Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver for Volunteer First Responders
February 8, 2021
Representatives Ciresi and Hennessey plans to reintroduce House Bill 2273 that will waive the vehicle registration fee for volunteer first responders who drive their own vehicles when responding to emergencies.
For more information, click here.
Require Senate confirmation of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director
Feb 8, 2021
Senator Baker plans to introduce legislation requiring Senate confirmation of the PEMA Director.
For more information, click here.
Adding Stand-Alone QRS to Fire/EMS Grant Program
February 5, 2021
Representative Hickernell plans to reintroduce House Bill 977 of the 2019-20 session, that will authorize stand-alone volunteer quick response services (QRS) to receive a grant under the current state Fire and EMS Grant Program.
For more information, click here.
